AAPS

The Alameda Architecture Preservation Society hosts its annual awards ceremony from 6:30-9 p.m. tonight, May 19, at Auctions by the Bay, 2700 Saratoga St.

This is a gala event, the group says, and members work to make it nice, fun and educational for the community. The event is free. For more details, call 510-479-6489 or go online.

“In general, we started doing the awards 14 years ago to thank those who take the time and resources to do projects and to do them right — and to encourage others to do the same,” said Nancy Hird, president of AAPS. “This really shows what can happen. You can take an ugly duckling and make a swan out of it.”

The emcee for the popular event is Felicity Hesed, who has been a host of Bay Area shows, such as “Clown Cabaret,” “The Pickle Family Circus” and “Cabaret Lunatique” with Teatro ZinZanni. Providing music before and during the awards is the popular Franz-Nichols band.

The awards ceremony will include several honorable mentions and a slide show that focuses on the award winners. This year’s winners include structures on Clinton Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Webster Street and Santa Clara Avenue, as well as local organizations that have played a critical role in the preservation of important city buildings.